http://hdl.handle.net/2173/2575 Sat, 25 May 2013 22:07:24 GMT 2013-05-25T22:07:24Z http://hdl.handle.net/2173/109600 Title: Identification of a 'snapshot' of co-expressed angiogenic markers in laser-dissected vessels from unstable carotid plaques with targeted arrays. Authors: Slevin, Mark; Turu, Marta M.; Rovira, Norma; Luque, Ana; Baldellou, M.; Krupinski, Jurek; Badimon, Lina Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Angiogenesis is a feature of the atherogenic process, with intimal neovascularisation arising from vessels in the adventitia, adjacent to a plaque. Immature, leaky blood vessels from unstable plaques proliferate abnormally and, being poorly invested with smooth muscle cells, may contribute to instability of the plaque by facilitation of inflammatory cell infiltration and haemorrhagic complications. METHODS: We used laser-capture microdissection to isolate angiogenic areas of the extracellular matrix (containing CD105/flt-1-positive, fragile thin-walled vessels) and non-angiogenic vascular areas (CD105-negative, with smooth muscle cell covering) of complicated endarterectomy plaques, and specifically designed angiogenesis-TaqMan real-time PCR microarrays to identify gene expression. RESULTS: Important pro-angiogenic components, including Notch-3, delta-like-4 (DLL4), Tie-2, angiopoietin-1 (Angio-1) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and one anti-angiogenic factor, endostatin, were up-regulated in these regions. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated localisation within intimal, active (CD105-positive) microvessels and co-localisation of Notch-3 and DLL4/Tie-2 and Angio-1 in the same vessels indicating multiple/synergistic signalling mechanisms associated with vessel development. CONCLUSION: These data, although providing only a snapshot of information, demonstrate that plaque vascularisation occurs in the presence of multiple angiogenically active factors. Knowledge of their combined effects could help in the formulation of novel therapeutics designed to stabilise or prevent their formation in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Description: Full-text of this article is not available in this e-prints service. This article was originally published following peer-review in Journal of Vascular Research, published by and copyright S. Karger AG. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2173/109600 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2173/108948 Title: The Platinum Development Initiative: platinum-based alloys for high temperature and special applications: part IV Authors: Potgieter, J. Herman; Maledi, Nthabiseng B.; Sephton, Michelle; Cornish, Lesley A. Abstract: Under the Platinum Development Initiative, platinum-based alloys were being developed for high-temperature and special applications for good corrosion and oxidation resistance. Parts I–III of the present series of papers dealt with the development of the ternary and quaternary Pt alloys (1–3). In this final paper (Part IV), the corrosion behaviour of selected Pt alloys treated with sodium sulfate salt was compared with that of coated and uncoated CMSX-4® nickel-based superalloy (NBSA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that protective alumina scales of different integrities formed on the Pt alloys, whereas the NBSAs failed rapidly even with an additional Pt-aluminide protective coating. Although there were pits on the Pt alloys, they were minor and not visible to the unaided eye. The potential for application of these Pt alloys in the aerospace gas turbine industry was assessed based on their hot corrosion performance. Description: Full text of this article is available at http://www.platinummetalsreview.com/dynamic/article/view/54-2-112-119 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2173/108948 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2173/108855 Title: Gold nanoparticle ensembles allow mechanistic insights into electrochemical processes Authors: Khairy, Mohamed; Choudry, Nadeem A.; Ouasti, Mohamed; Kampouris, Dimitrios K.; Kadara, Rashid O.; Banks, Craig E. Abstract: Gold-nanoparticle-modified electrodes find wide and diverse applications in the area of electrochemistry. We demonstrate for the first time that gold-nanoparticle-modified electrodes can provide mechanistic information and we exemplify this with the electrochemical deposition of arsenic(III). Our approach of using nanoparticle ensembles is a facile and economical methodology that provides an alternative to using expensive gold single-crystal electrodes that require careful surface preparation before each measurement. Description: Full-text of this article is not available in this e-prints service. This article was originally published following peer-review in ChemPhysChem, published by and copyright Wiley. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2173/108855 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2173/108831 Title: Aged garlic extract protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Authors: Alkreathy, Huda; Damanhouri, Zoheir A.; Ahmed, Nessar; Slevin, Mark; Ali, Soad S.; Osman, Abdel-Moneim M. Abstract: Clinical uses of doxorubicin (DOX), a highly active anticancer agent, are limited by its severe cardiotoxic side effects associated with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. In this study we investigated whether aged garlic has protective effects against doxorubicin-induced free radical production and cardiotoxicity in male rats. A single dose of doxorubicin (25mg/kg) caused increased both serum cardiac enzymes LDH and CPK activities and a significant increase malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in plasma. However, pretreatment of rats with aged garlic extract (250 mg/kg) for 27 days before doxorubicin therapy, reduced the activity of both enzymes, and significantly decreased of MDA production in plasma. Total antioxidant activity was increased after aged garlic extract administration. Histopathological examination of heart tissue showed that DOX treatment resulted in alteration of cardiac tissue structure in the form of peri arterial fibrosis and apoptotic changes in cardiomyocytes. Pretreatment with aged garlic extract for 27 days ameliorated the effect of DOX administration on cardiac tissue; cardiomyocytes looked more or less similar to those of control. However, still vascular dilatation, mild congestion and interstitial edemas were observed. Our results suggest that aged garlic extract is potentially protective against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Description: Full-text of this article is not available in this e-prints service. This article was originally published following peer-review in Food and Chemical Toxicology, published by and copyright Pergamon. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2173/108831 2010-03-01T00:00:00Z